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Blog Archives

“My vet told me that a “bounding pulse” indicates a problem. I am having a hard time determining what constitutes “bounding”. Sometimes I am able to easily feel the pulse though it does not seem hard or fast. When I have felt the pulse, my horse does not seem to be in pain and is moving freely and easily. Other times I am not able to find the pulse and he seems a bit ouchy…Am I over thinking this or should I be concerned that I am finding such variance in the pulse?”

“I have a 19 year old thoroughbred gelding. He is 17.3 and has just been diagnosed with arthritis and fairly severe joint deterioration. I have had a hard time finding information on the best way to treat him. I would like to keep riding him if that’s possible. I do dressage with him. How would you suggest treating him? I want to keep him out of pain as much as possible. I also am on a fairly tight budget which makes treatment even harder.” – HG

Dr. Gray, if a horse is treated for a mild case of EPM, and the treatment is “successful”, can the horse make a full recovery or will it always be in their systems to where a possible recurrence could happen in the future. Thank you M.L.S.

I have a 7 year old Haflinger mare – pleasure use – I’m concerned with being sure she’s receiving adequate nutrition requirements without over feeding. Currently she’s on a hay based diet with a gastric supplement and a joint supplement fed daily. She receives soaked alfalfa cubes daily in order to add supplements to her diet. She has a history of colic including surgery and a bout of colitis which landed her in the hospital for 10 days…

Hello. I have a large pony that is Insulin Resistant. He foundered 3 years ago – August and come to find out he’s Insulin Resistant but not Cushings. Because I caught it so quickly we were able to “cure” him and to this day he is SOUND! He hardly rotated. I noticed he was getting QUITE fat and saw a beautiful cresty neck (to which I thought I was training him SO well, and that’s why he had such a beautiful neck!) He is on a VERY strict diet – beet pulp, cinnamon, rice bran, vitamin E and salt…

What would you recommend for grain/hay and/or probiotics for a 15 yr old mare that has tied up before, ulcered and just had colic surgery. Her intestines were impacted with Corn Cob bedding. She is not forming manure yet, still cow patty style, she will be home a week March 3rd. Thanks, Brenda

My 10 y/o Warmblood mare was just recently diagnosed with ERU or Moon Blindness in her right eye. I was told by the vet that she would have to be on a daily dose of aspirin for the rest of her life. I am worried about ulcers, is there a specific aspirin that I should be using? How often should I have her checked for ulcers? She has never had a history of ulcers or other digestive issues (KNOCK ON WOOD). Thank you so much,
KP, Illinois

My gelding recently had a nephrosplenic entrapment. Treated successfully with rolling. What can be done to prevent this? Are there any early warning signs that I may have missed? How often does this recur? DG, Pennsylvania

What treats are 100% guaranteed safe for an HYPP horse? Thanks! SG Dear SG, Unfortunately, I can’t guarantee or promise that products will be safe for horses with certain health conditions like HYPP (Hyperkalemic Periodic Paralysis). Because diet is such…

I have a 6 yo Quarter Horse mare that I compete in Western Pleasure, who has recently started exhibiting some of the early signs of Navicular disease. Sometimes she’s a little ouchy on her front feet when ridden on hard ground; taking short, shuffling strides and she’s started to stumble a little more than she used to…

What is the most effective medical treatment for scratches (pastern dermatitis)? For the first time, my horse has them below his front fetlocks. I have been told conflicting advice by two different vets. One says to remove the scabs, the other said not to. I have been scrubbing them and spraying them, and doing my best to keep my gelding’s feet clean and dry. What medication and treatment do you recommend? A prescription is fine, as I will be able to get it from my vet. Thank you and God bless.
– TC, Pennsylvania

Have you found any supplement that actually seems to help foundered horses? -Jan Dear Jan, Founder (chronic laminitis) can be caused by so many different things it’s hard to make a blanket recommendation. Are you asking how to prevent it…

I am writing for advice on my 26-year-old Arabian gelding. His body score condition is currently about a six. He has Cushing’s (receiving 1 mg Pergolide daily) and he also receives Cosequin joint supplement daily. He has been treated empirically…

My 23 yr old QH mare was diagnosed today with Cushing’s. I am starting her on Pergolide ASAP. Can you please advise me about the diet I should provide? Rice bran pellets (Vitabran) and alfalfa was my plan. I had also just put her on glucosamine as a preventative measure. Should I hold off on that until we stabilize the Cushing’s? Or do you recommend Cetyl-M for horses as a daily joint supplement?

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Download the worksheet to test your knowledge! How much hay and grain does your horse get every day? How much SHOULD your horse be getting each day? Many horses may not be getting what your feed bag recommends,...
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